Author | Filmmaker and Host, Tola Talks
I Just taught my 600th Yoga class since arriving in The Windy City last September.
And what an amazing time I had teaching thousands of yogis and yoginis in 12 different neighborhoods including Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, West Loop, Uptown, Andersonville, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Highland Park, Evanston, Streeterville and the South Loop.
Have an awesome week everyone!
Peace – R
Start your mid-week off with our 15 minute Tola Yoga Class #10 with me and the lovely Amy Johnson – a featured yogini in YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous. Short & sweet with NO downward facing dogs, chaturangas or abdominal crunches. Have an awesome workout!
Loved filming our Reality TV show pilot episode throughout the streets of Chicago! Enjoy – R
Simply put, do the very best you can in everything you do and let the Universe decide what happens next. And if your heart and your mind are really not into it, then reconsider the task at hand and make another choice. Because making good choices is easier than you think!
And always remember to break all the rules except this one: Another day, Another workout
Summer’s over and you’re back in the groove while sportively enjoying the August-like weather.
Now what? How about making the first day of Autumn a great time for a change. A simple change, one that involves deleting a bad habit from your daily repertoire. It doesn’t have to be a major lifestyle change, i.e., quit smoking cigarettes or partying every weekend. Although that would be awesome if you could – which you definitely can, no worries, just pick an easy one like replacing your lunchtime soda with water, or stop eating bread and butter before your meal.
Easier said then done, you might say, but that’s BS…because you can do anything you set your mind to. So make it a cleansing Fall everyone, and drop bad habits like acorns from an oak tree!
Peace – R
Quick question: What takes 28 minutes, is complimentary to your regular workouts, and will definitely improve your focus, concentration, breathing and posture, as well as strengthen your lower back, hamstrings, thighs, calfs, core and abs?
That’s easy: Tola Yoga Class #9 with Vika down by the pond in Humboldt Park, Chicago.
Enjoy! Peace – R
Nine-time Olympic Gold medalist and the world’s fastest man (for the past 10 years), Usain Bolt, confidently concedes that “there are faster starters than me but I’m a strong finisher”.
Because no matter when you begin your new venture or how quickly you come out of the starting blocks, the most important part of the race is the finish line. So finish strong!
Just like we’re doing with YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous: CHICAGO. Yesterday we recorded the voice-over and we’re now thundering towards the finish line.
Have an awesome day everyone! Peace – R
I’m heels over head for teaching my 500th Yoga class since arriving in Chicago last September.
I’m grateful to my courageous students, fellow teachers and managers, and the owners of Chicago Athletic Clubs for giving me the opportunity to spread my passion for fitness & yoga, and specifically my style of Tola Yoga.
Looking forward to inspiring the world with YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous.
Peace – R
I’m very fortunate and grateful for having reached my 10th anniversary teaching Yoga to more than 25,000 students in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States. To celebrate, the lovely Lauren Accardi joined me for another challenging Tola Yoga class filmed at the super cool Damen Silos, also the site Michael Bay’s Transformer’s 4 and The Namaste Five class from YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous: Chicago.
Love this one! Peace – R
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 08/04/16
YogaStyles Braves 108-Degree Heat and Wraps Chicago Pilot
Chicago, IL: Long considered a sacred number in Yoga, 108 should bring good luck to creator and Yogatainer Rich Tola’s new Reality TV series that aims to inspire audiences with his one simple motto: Yoga…Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.
Inspired is exactly how Rich and his crew felt as they endured the heat and filmed the Pilot episode of YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous in more than 60 locations throughout the streets of Chicago.
“We knew it was going to be a scorcher, but we never anticipated it would be hotter than a July BBQ,” shares Tola. “The great news is everyone we interviewed, including the homeless woman (Rebecca) living in a tent on North Broadway, was super friendly and excited to give Yoga a try.”
In addition to the dozen or so “Almost Famous” people Rich interviewed, Tola also demonstrated challenging Yoga poses at many historic landmark and tourist attractions including Buckingham Fountain, Millennium Park, Water Tower, the University of Chicago, Navy Pier, Soldier Field and the Chess Pavilion by Oak Street Beach.
“Our last day of filming was the hottest, with heat index temperatures reaching 108 degrees,” Tola said. “And what’s cool about it was that we filmed a 2-hour class at the abandoned Damen Silos with our band of beautiful Yoga babes (The Namaste Five) and not once did anyone complain or even request a break. Talk about hot Yoga, it really felt like we were practicing in an oven.”
Yoga guru and lifelong fitness virtuoso, Rich Tola aims to teach everyone on the planet the fundamentals of the 6,000 year-old practice with his unique, workout style of Tola Yoga. “It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing, anybody can benefit from five minutes of Yoga. After watching our show you’ll definitely be inspired to try Yoga, or at the very least, be excited to visit Chicago and enjoy all the amazing attributes this great city has to offer,” proclaims Tola.
Today also marks Rich’s 10-year anniversary teaching Yoga to more than 25,000 students in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States. Since 2006, Tola has produced 30 hours of instructional DVDs including his film, Boulevard Zen, and his video encyclopedia of 100 Yoga poses, Rich Tola’s Yoga Survival Guide, including Bus Stop Yoga, Traffic Yoga, Office Yoga, Shower Yoga and Watching the Ellen Show Yoga.